The Norwegian Fishermen’s Association has strongly condemned the Russian Federation’s military attack on Ukraine – but has also stressed the importance of maintaining co-operation with Russia on fisheries.
‘We want, as far as possible, to continue our own co-operation with Russian fisheries organisations,’ state the Association’s director Kåre Heggebø and general secretary Sverre Johansen.
‘The invasion is a violation of international law and an attack on key democratic values. This can in no way be defended, and we agree with the global community’s demand for a full withdrawal of all Russian forces in Ukraine. Our thoughts go first and foremost to the Ukrainian people who are now suffering greatly as a result of Russian military attacks,’ the Association stated.
According to the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association, co-operation between the two countries has been vital and experience has shown that it is possible to co-operate on joint resource management in the Barents Sea despite disagreements and conflicts of interest.
‘We are concerned that this co-operation is now in jeopardy as a result of Russia’s brutal attack on Ukraine. At this tragic time, we must acknowledge that this is an attack led by the Russian president and not the Russian people. It is therefore important that we maintain dialogue with our colleagues in Russia,’ they state.
‘The Norwegian Fishermen’s Association has for many years collaborated with fisheries organisations in Murmansk. We will keep this dialogue open as far as possible and as long as it does not conflict with national interests or international sanctions against Russia.’
Former director of the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association Kjell Ingebrigtsen, Anatoly Evenko of the Association of coastal fishermen and fish farmers in Murmansk and Vladimir Grigorjev, until recently head of FIUN, the Fisheries Industry Union in the North, at one of the regular a meetings that have been held since 2006. Image: Norges Fiskarlag
